Hayes surprised at Oscietra price on debut

Trainer David Hayes is relaxed as Black Caviar’s daughter Oscietra prepares for her Flemington debut

Lindsay Park senior trainer David Hayes admits to being surprised that Black Caviar’s daughter Oscietra is an odds-on favourite for her debut race at Flemington.

Oscietra will contest the New Year Plate (1000m) on Sunday with the filly at $1.50 in early markets.

“I hope they’re right but I am a little bit surprised,” Hayes said.

“I don’t think that’s very good value at all.

“Her mother was in Group Ones at that price and she’s in her first race and we don’t know how good the opposition are.

“It shows her mother hurt the bookies a lot and it shows they don’t want to take a chance on her.”

Hayes says the only comparison to be drawn between Oscietra and Black Caviar is the filly has a high cruising speed.

He says Oscietra is a different colour and about two-thirds the size of her mother.

“You shouldn’t compare any horse to Black Caviar,” Hayes said.

“She did what no other horse has done before but this one compares favourably to a lot of good horses I’ve trained in the past.”

Hayes says he and the Lindsay Park stable haven’t felt any added pressure training Oscietra in the lead-up to Sunday.

Oscietra has won both her jump-outs, the first on December 9 before a more strenuous work-out two weeks later, and Hayes says she’s in top physical shape for her debut.

Hayes said he would hate to see the filly flop on Sunday but added everything she has done to date suggested she would run well.

“There’s a lot of horses that don’t win on debut,” Hayes said.

“She’s got great speed which makes the job a bit easier and she’s got a wonderful temperament.

“I’d love to see them all off the bit like they were against mum, but I’d be happy if she just scrambles home.

“There’s so much expectation on her it would be lovely to see her get the job done.”